Places to Stay Along Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway:

Ponderosa Campground & Cabins

Mid-way between Antonito, Colorado and Chama, New Mexico along the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway. Beautiful combination of pine and cottonwood trees with the Conejos River running through it.

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Rio Chama RV Park Camp in shade along Chama River in Chama, New Mexico along scenic Highway 17 and watch the train as it steams over the bridge by our campground. BIG RIGS welcome - 60 foot drive-thrus sites!

Pictured: Along the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic Byway

The south central region of Colorado was originally settled as part of requirements for getting and keeping a Spanish or Mexican Grant which called for establishing centers of population and developing the land. However, when the United States obtained this land, San Luis was the first permanent town in Colorado and was founded in 1851. The Los Caminos Antiguos Byway goes through this first town, as well as Fort Garland, Antonito, Alamosa, and into Chama, New Mexico, following the trails of the Spanish Conquerors (see our San Luis Valley Area Map). The byway is 129 miles long and takes about three hours to travel.

As you're traveling the byway, be sure to visit the oldest church in Colorado, Our Lady of Guadeloupe Parish church. Joseph Machebeuf (1812-1889), spread Roman Catholicism throughout Colorado. A French missionary, he said first Mass in Colorado in a crude adobe chapel in Conejos in 1858. It was later replaced by Our Lady of Guadeloupe Church, Colorado's oldest church. The church is located in Conejos, Colorado, just off US Highway 285.

Another interesting historical spot is the Jack Dempsey Museum. Jack Dempsey, born in Manassa, Colorado, June 24, 1895, went on to become the heavy-weight boxing champion of the World. At age 14, Jack began fighting at mining camps under the name "Kid Blackie." At age 24 Jack was the first superstar of the ring, and one of the most popular champions ever. Jack died in 1983. The Museum opened in the 1960s in a one-room log cabin near the spot where Jack grew up. Displayed are boxing mementos and pictures donated by locals and the Dempsey family. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Also in the path of the byway is Fort Garland, one of the first military posts in the region. The 100+ men who manned this fort protected the early settlers of the San Luis Valley.

Picture courtesy of the Calkins Family

The Smith Reservoir, The San Luis Lake State Park and Mountain Home Reservoir offer many water activities. Hiking is also available at Zapata Falls. The falls also offers spectacular views of the entire San Luis Valley, the San Juan Mountains, Mount Blanca, and the Sangre de Cristo range of the Rocky Mountains. These areas also boast fabulous wildlife viewing opportunities. Also along the byway is the Blanca Wetlands, a birder's paradise. Also in the area is the Great Sand Dunes National Park. This Park also provides many recreational activities.

Enter the byway from The Front Range at Fort Garland, From the North at Mosca, or from the West at Alamosa.

For More Activities & Information:

• Alpine Scenic Loop • Cache La Poudre Scenic Drive • Colorado River Headwaters • Collegiate Peaks Byway • Dinosaur Diamond • Flat Tops Trail • Frontier Pathway • Goldbelt Tour • Grand Mesa Scenic Byway • Guanella Pass • Highway of Legends •Lariat Loop • Los Caminos Antiguos

• Mount Evans • Pawnee Pioneer Trail • Peak to Peak Highway • Pikes Peak Road
• San Juan Skyway • Santa Fe Trail • Silver Thread Scenic Byway • South Platte River Trail • Top of the Rockies • Trail of the Ancients • Trail Ridge Road • Unaweep/Tabeguache Scenic Drive • West Elk Scenic Loop

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